Familiar corner banks on new biz in Media
MEDIA >> Chase Bank has made its first formal submission to the borough for a new building at Baltimore Avenue and Edgmont Street. The planning commission saw an application for the corner property last occupied by McDonald’s, which was closed and demolished more than a year ago.
Five of the seven planning commissioners were present as well as the borough’s engineers, code enforcement officer and Council President Brian Hall who is, liaison to the commission. The Chase team included the full retinue of professionals working on the plan.
Project attorney Robert Careless opened by saying the building is “not a Chase prototype, but a custom-designed building based on the borough’s design standards.”
The approximate
3,000-square-foot, two-story building will sit at the northwest corner of a 0 .8 acre parcel, and, as noted by the Chase team,”up against the street.” The image shown has a “custom exterior” designed to conform to other various borough buildings, and often what planners request to reflect the town’s character.
In what was a somewhat anecdotal comment made, Chase may be about the
20th bank in the borough. Chase has recently moved into Pennsylvania with a desire for brick and mortar locations to serve existing customers in the area, said Careless, adding the Media site was identified about a year ago. A major emphasis on the operation will be in financial advice and services.
Discussion concentrated on engineering elements, storm water management, utility easements and existing infrastructure, which the borough feels needs to be adequately studied. A culvert that runs through the property is an issue for placement of any building.
Considerable time was spent on traffic circulation. Access is planned from both Baltimore Avenue and Edgmont Street, with no turning restrictions. The plan shows 23 parking spaces when only six are required by code. Several planners felt the number was excessive and created traffic flow around the site. A single, freestanding ATM on a separate part of the parcel also contributed to this issue. There is no drive-up window service attached to the building.
Planning Chairman Michael Kinsley was particularly focused on the traffic, but had specific opinions on the building itself as represented by the architect’s rendering, which shows the main entrance on the Edgmont Street frontage.
“I think you are missing an opportunity by not having the entrance directly at the corner,” said Kinsley, a professional architect. “You could be bold with the design.” Planner Emily Miller also commented on the Baltimore Avenue facade.
Project architect Greg Lehman indicated the design could undergo change, particularly the Baltimore Avenue elevation, which showed two stories and one window at the lower level.
At the community level, Hall emphasized the property backs up to a relatively new development of townhomes and that attention should be paid to lighting and noise levels. Project Manager Martin Swaggard, who led much of the discussion, said landscaping was planned.
The Chase submission was for the preliminary/final phase, and the team may have been expecting planners to make a recommendation. However, Kinsley said too many issues needing further review precluded action from the board. No return date for Chase was noted.